VlVERRlD.?!.- 
-MAMMALIA.- 
-VlVERRin.F,. 
provided with short limbs, the feet being semi-palmate, 
plantigrade, and pentadactylons. The claws are 
slightly retractile. The odoriferous secreting pouch is 
represented by a superficial grandular space, placed a 
little below the anal opening. The tail is as long as 
the body, cylindrical, slightly flattened from above 
downwards, and non-prehensile ; in the example de- 
scribed by F. Cuvier it was found spirally folded upon 
itself, as in the figure here given. The fur of the 
pougonne has a more or less brownish tint generally, 
being marked on the back and sides with darker patches 
of the same colour-, somewhat irregrdarly disposed. Its 
habits correspond with those of the species of this family 
whose food is of a mixed character. 
THE COMMON GENET {Gmetta vulgaris), is an 
inhabitant of the south of France, of Spain, and of the 
African continent throughout its entire length and 
breadth. It is generally found in the low grounds, 
near the edges of rivers, or in the immediaie neigh- 
bourhood of springs. The Genet very much resembles 
an ordinary cat, and in the domesticated condition forms 
a very good substitute, catching and killing mice with 
equal skill. The various members of the genus Genetta 
are distinguished by their 
vertically slit pupils, and by 
their completely retractile 
claws, in which respect they 
approximate very closely to 
the Felidrn. The odori- 
ferous anal pouches are re- 
duced to a mere depression 
in the skin, the amount of the 
secretion being correspond- 
ingly deficient; nevertheless 
quite enough to produce a 
very perceptible odour. The 
Genets are smaller than the 
true civets, and less frugivor- 
ous in their habits. The fur 
of the species under con- 
sideration is more or less 
greyish and sj)Otted, with 
conspicuous oval, oblong, or 
rounded patches of a brown- 
ish-black colour, the cheeks 
and sides of the muzzle being 
covered with white markings. 
The tail is beautifully annulated witu upwards of twenty 
alternating white and black bands. It is as long as the 
body, and tapers very gently towards the tip, where 
it is also clothed with long coarse hair. Its dental 
arrangement is precisely similar to that of the civets, 
properly so called. 
THE LUWAK {Viverra. musanga), is a well-marked 
form, although it resembles the genet in size and many 
other particulars. The head is broad behind, ending 
anteriorly in a sharply pointed muzzle. The jaws are 
furnished with twenty molar teeth, which are com- 
paratively short and broad. The body is about 
twenty-two inches long, exclusive of the tail, which 
would give us another foot and a half. The general 
colour of the fur is that of a deep tawny-brown; the 
head, central line of the back, tail, and outer sides of 
the limbs being almost black. A whitish-grey band 
passes backwards from the eye, gradually increasing in 
breadth until it arrives at the centre of the neck. 
The pupils of the eyes are rounded. The limbs are 
robust, terminating in pentadactylons feet, armed with 
large, strong, semi-retractile claws. In regard to the 
habits of the Luwak, Dr. Ilorsfield states that they are 
“ very similar to those of the genet. If taken while 
young, it becomes patient and gentle during confine- 
ment, and receives readily animal and vegetable food. 
It requires little attention, and even contents itself 
with the scanty remains of the meals of the natives, 
with fish, eggs, rice, potatoes, &c., the structure of its 
teeth being particularly adapted to a vegetable diet. 
It prefers, however, delicate and pulpy fruits, but 
when pressed by hunger, also attacks fowls and birds.” 
The Luwak, we are told, causes terrible damage to the 
coffee plantations, devouring the berries with excessive 
greediness. On this account some have called it the 
“ cotfee rat.” Oidy the arillus and external coverings of 
the berry are consumed, the seed itself passing through 
the animal unaffected by the digestive powers of the 
animal’s stomach. The Luwak is pretty widely dis- 
Fig. 28. 
The Rasse (Viverra Rasse). 
tributed, being found in Sumatra, Java, the Malayan 
peninsula, and in most of the adjacent islands of the 
Indian archipelago. 
THE BASSE {Viverra Basse), is a remarkably hand- 
some creature, and is readily distinguished from its con- 
geners by its elongated form, delicate build, and elegant 
colouring (fig. 28). It is also a native of Java and the 
adjoining isles. The length of the body is nearly two 
feet, not including the tail, which would give us another 
twelve inches. The head is cuneiform, compressed 
sideways, terminating anteriorly in a very attenuated 
muzzle. The ears are particularly broad at the base, 
closely approximating to each other on the crown of 
the head. The eyes are dark-coloured. The whiskers 
are few in number, but of considerable length. The 
limbs are of moderate size, and terminate in digitigrado 
